At David Yurman, creativity, innovation and impeccable craftsmanship are at the core of everything they do. Fueled by the energy of their hometown, New York City, artistic passion informs each and every jewelry design. The Yurman family’s guiding vision continually defines and redefines what it means to be the preeminent American luxury jewelry brand.
As a teenager, David Yurman was immersed in the art scene, even selling his own sculptures at his high school. In 1958, at the age of 15, Yurman studied welding under sculptor Ernesto Gonzalez. During this time, Yurman learned how to create 3-dimensional forms with molten metal rods, a technique described as “drawing in space.” Yurman later worked for sculptor Hans Van de Bovenkamp in 1969. While under Bovenkamp’s tutelage, Yurman had a fateful encounter with a painter named Sybil Kleinrock, the two felt an instant connection and married ten years later.
David Yurman’s first jewelry creation came at the request of Sybil who wanted a piece of art she could wear to an art gallery. Yurman crafted a bronze necklace made up of intertwining warped figurines named Dante. The gallery’s owner was captivated by the necklace and wished to reproduce the design. The Yurmans then understood that with their artistic and sculptural backgrounds, they could create exceptional pieces of jewelry.
The David Yurman brand launched in 1980, with David and Sybil Yurman committing themselves to crafting jewelry that also functioned as works of art. David Yurman soon became known for its unconventional use of materials, for example in 1997 they were the first major jewelry designer to set diamonds in sterling silver jewelry. Yurman continues to use both traditional and exotic materials in his jewelry such as black titanium, forged carbon and meteorite.
Today, David Yurman remains a family owned company. David is involved in the entire creation process, from the sketches to the finished piece. When designing new pieces, he always asks himself if these are pieces that Sybil would wear. Sybil is the chief brand officer and their son, Evan, is the head of men’s jewelry and watches.
DAVID YURMAN’S CABLE MOTIF
David Yurman’s hallmark is the Cable motif. Designed in 1983 for the Cable Bracelet, this cable design, also referred to as a helix, consists of smooth metal rods that gently twist around each other. The Cable motif adds movement and depth to the jewelry they adorn. Since its inception, the cable has been at the heart of Yurman’s designs, be it as a carving, accent, clasp or setting as seen in rings, pedants, bracelets and earrings across various collections. David and Sybil Yurman received inspiration for the cable design from the intertwining forms seen in nature as well as those in ancient and modern architecture. According to Yurman, the cable motif symbolizes strength and harmony.
NATURE’S ARTISTRY
David Yurman debuts its 2023 campaign called Nature’s Artistry, featuring none other than the actress Scarlett Johansson and the musician Shawn Mendes. Captured by the renowned fashion photographer Glen Luchford, the blonde actress and the Canadian singer are pictured at their most captivating, embodying the true essence of the David Yurman brand.
The 2023 David Yurman campaign, titled “Nature’s Artistry,” celebrates nature as a constant source of inspiration for the brand, whose artistic jewelry often features sculptural designs inspired by forms and patterns in the natural world. Featuring two of the most accomplished artists in their fields, “Nature’s Artistry” invites us to renew our appreciation for the world around us and the creative wellspring it provides.
